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Strong Safety
Jim Norton
Team: Houston Oilers
Years: 1960-1968
Career: Perhaps it is fitting that the leading pass interceptor in American Football League history was a Vandal. Jim Norton, who failed to catch on with the Detroit Lions after graduating from the University of Idaho, found a home with the Houston Oilers of the new AFL and was the last of the 1960 League Champions to leave town. So grateful was owner Bud Adams that Norton became the first Oiler to have his jersey (Number 43) retired.
Norton’s talents were not immediately valued. The 6′-3" safety picked off only one pass in the team’s inaugural season. He wasn’t even the punter that first year. Backup QB Charlie Milstead did the punting and not very well – a 35.8 average that was last in the league. Norton, however, caught a five-yard pass as a rookie reserve.
Jim’s fortunes turned when he was installed as both starting safety and punter in 1961. He snared nine passes during the season and solidified the punting with a 40.7 average. He boomed four more punts in the AFL Title Game, which Houston won, 10-3, in a tight defensive duel. He earned a reputation as a steady tackler with a nose for the football.
Norton led the club again the following season with eight interceptions and punted for a 41.7 average. He played in the league’s longest game, a double-overtime thriller for the AFL crown that was won by the Dallas Texans, 20-17.
The Oiler defense broke down under new coach Frank "Pop" Ivy in 1963, the first losing season for the franchise. It seemed turnovers were the only way Houston could stop the opposition. Norton picked off six aerials, which was third best on the club. Again, his punting improved to a 42.9 average and Jim spent time catching punts as well, returning four for 23 yards. The Vandal also made the AFL All-Star Team for the third straight year.
"We missed Wally (Lemm)," said Norton later about the squad’s collapse. "The team did not have the same spirit. It was not the same as when Wally was there who convinced us we were winners."
Things got worse in 1964. Houston won just four games and Norton had only two interceptions, although one of them he returned against the Denver Broncos for 54 yards. He also boomed a career-long 74-yard punt against Kansas City that season. Still, new coach Sammy Baugh benched him.
Jim rebounded in 1965 with one of his best seasons, snaring seven passes. The now-sluggish offense forced Norton to punt a league-leading 84 times for a career-best 44.2 average. Unfortunately, the Oiler defense continued to fail. Many felt the Oiler defense was too slow to keep pace with the improving talent around the league.
Wally Lemm came back to Houston in 1966 and Norton led the squad with just four interceptions. In 1967, Ken Houston became the new strong safety as Lemm moved Jim to free safety. Norton turned in a solid year with six picks, including one in four consecutive games, and a 42.6 punting average. The defense was winning games instead of losing them, giving the Oilers their last division title until 1991. Jim scored the only touchdown of his AFL career, returning an interception 56 yards. He was once again named to the AFL All-Star team.
Very few Oilers could say they played at all three of the team’s stomping grounds – Jeppessen Stadium, Rice Stadium and the Astrodome. Jim was one of the them as the club moved under glass for the 1968 season. He grabbed a Bob Griese pass in a victory over Miami to set the AFL mark for career interceptions. He picked off Daryle Lamonica in a loss to Oakland two weeks later to give him 45. The Oilers finished 7-7 and Norton remained solid as a punter, drilling 73 punts for a 41.2 average.
On April 15th, 1969, Norton announced his retirement after nine seasons. His 45 career interceptions and 519 career punts are still club records. After Adams moved the franchise to Nashville, Jim Norton was one of the original members named to the Tennessee Titans Hall of Honor.
Houston Highlight: Nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division going into Week 12 of the 1962 season, Norton became the personal tormenter of Denver quarterback Frank Tripucka. Jim killed three Bronco drives with interceptions as the Oilers stole a 34-17 victory, eventually reaching the Championship Game for the third straight year.
by Bob Hulsey
HoustonProFootball.com
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